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NEW DELHI: No flying training organisation (FTO) in India has been placed in the top A+ or A category in the first ever ranking done of flying schools here by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. This ranking — a brainchild of DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai — was to start from Oct 1 and the regulator made the list public on Tuesday. Based on multiple parametres like safety record and time taken to complete required flying to earn a commercial pilot licence (CPL), these two categories require a score of 70% and above.Thirteen FTOs have found a place in the B category — with scores between 50% and 70%. These include Chimes Aviation Academy, SVKM’s NMIMS Academy of Aviation Shirpur, Bihar Flying Club, Orient Flights Aviation Academy, Skynex Aero, FSTC Flying School, Patiala Aviation Club, Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Jet Serve Aviation, Nagpur Flying Club, National Flying Training Institute, Banasthali Vidyapith Gliding & Flying Club and Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology.Twenty-two FTOs have been placed in the C category, which is for those with score below 50%. DGCA sends them “a notice for self-analysis towards improvement of their performance.” Govt-owned Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) which comes under the Union aviation ministry also falls in this category.This is the first time FTOs have been ranked in India. “The idea is to improve FTOs in terms of both safety record and making them student-friendly. There will be lot of churn and improvement among the schools to either improve or retain their ranking — and become attractive enough for students. We hope to see some FTOs in A category next time,” said sources.FTO ranking will be published bi-annually, “preferably on October 1and April 1 of every year.” FTOs scoring 85% and above will be ranked A++; 70-84.99% as A+; 50%-69.99% A and below 50% as B. “Category ‘B’ FTOs will receive a notice from DGCA for self-analysis towards improvement of their performance.”FTOs are being ranked on several key parameters like safety record and time taken to complete 200 hours of flying — which is among the things required to earn commercial pilot licence (CPL). This will help budding pilots help choose “good” schools. Currently even after paying several lakhs, they have to virtually “beg” to get their flying hours at a majority of the schools.Through ranking, Govt wanted FTOs to improve on all counts, with safety being key along with timely completion of flying, in order to get better rankings and therefore attract students. While being a regulated sector, a majority of FTOs in India are anything but student-friendly and that forces large number of budding pilots to go abroad every year to earn their CPLs.“This is part of DGCA’s continued commitment to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of pilot training in India, while fostering a performance-driven and transparent training ecosystem. (Ranking) holds FTOs accountable for maintaining regulatory compliance and operational standards. Aspiring pilots and their families often struggle to identify credible FTOs. A ranking system serves as a reliable guide, helping them choose institutions based on quality, safety, and training outcomes rather than mere location or fees,” the regulator says.Apart from these actors, the DGCA sees ranking system will “ensure training quality and standardisation; enhance transparency and accountability; guidance for student pilots; aid in identifying high-performing FTOs for expansion or international collaboration, and underperforming ones for closer monitoring or corrective action.”All FTOs will have to submit performance data within the stipulated timelines for the scoring to be done in time. “DGCA reserves the right to verify submitted data through audits and inspections. Misreporting or non-compliance may adversely affect ranking and may invite regulatory action. FTO Ranking System serves the dual purpose of protecting student interests and ensuring a pipeline of quality trained pilots essential for the safe and sustainable growth the aviation sector in India,” the DGCA says.
